Easiest and cheapest ways to buy crypto in California
Getting bitcoins in California is not an easy task as not all popular crypto exchanges are available to California citizens. This is a current list of bitcoin exchanges that allow users from California to buy crypto. They all support buying crypto with credit/debit cards but some of them offer other payment methods as well.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, RUB
Founded in 2013 in London, UK, and with over 4 million users, Cex.io is among the oldest cryptocurrency exchange platforms on the market. On Cex.io, you can buy, sell, trade, and store over 100 cryptocurrencies.
This centralized exchange supports fiat to crypto purchases, margin trading, spot trading, staking, lending, leverage, and savings. It has more than 100 cryptocurrencies available for trade and over 220 trading pairs. Today, Cex.io is available in more than 180 countries around the globe (including the U.S.). Cex.io applies AML and KYC policies, and it is registered with The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, GBP, EUR + more
Uphold is one of the most unique crypto platforms because it integrates both digital and physical asset trading. It was launched in 2015 in New York, and it quickly gained recognition by using proprietary technology and various e-money apps as the foundation. Commodity trading is one more unique feature that makes this crypto exchange stand out.
This exchange also offers trading of cryptos, precious metals, US equities, and Forex. One user account can access more than 50 US Stocks, 60 cryptocurrencies, 4 precious metals, and 27 national currencies. Uphold is supported in more than 180 countries worldwide, and it has around 10 million registered users. However, as of 2022, UK and EU users can no longer create accounts on the platform. The users from these countries that already have accounts will not be affected.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Free ⚡️ Trading fees: Based on spreads ⚡️ Service fees: 1% – 3% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit/credit cards and (SEPA) bank transfers. ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, GBP, EUR, and 15+ more
Cross-asset trading feature Simple registration process Extremely low fees More than 60 supported cryptocurrencies
Currently, Coinmama is available in more than 150 countries around the world, and it has over 1.5 million users. It prides itself as a one-stop shop where crypto enthusiasts can buy, sell, transfer, spend, earn, and track cryptocurrencies.
It was known initially as Monaco Technologies but swapped to Crypto.com in July 2018. It wasn’t long for it to show that it meant business as it raised $26.7M in a token sale in June 2017 after being accepted into Supercharger, a leading FinTech accelerator. With a built-in exchange, an intuitive mobile app, prepaid VISA cards, and an increasing number of supported cryptocurrencies Crypto.com has established itself as a popular name in the cryptocurrency world.
It accepts both fiat and cryptocurrencies Mobile App (iOS and Android) It provides other financial services like crypto loans, crypto staking, DeFi, etc., depending on your country It offers tax support
The customer support could do better Fiat withdrawals take too long You need to have 50,000,000 CRO (its native token) to benefit from its highest fee discount
Best Bitcoin Wallets in California
It is never a good idea to keep your coins on an exchange as that exposes you to numerous risks (exchange hacks, fund freezes by the exchange or some government regulatory body, etc). That is why you should use one of the wallets we list below to store your digital assets.
But, which bitcoin wallet is available in Brazil?
The safest option is a hardware wallet like Nano X but ZenGo is also a good choice, especially for newcomers.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Average 👛 Verification – 2-3 Days 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Founded in 2011 in San Francisco, California, Kraken is one of the oldest and largest crypto exchanges in the business. This centralized cryptocurrency exchange allows its users to quickly and securely buy and sell over 90 cryptocurrencies.
Currently, 4 million users in over 170 countries worldwide use Kraken’s services (excluding Washington and New York in the U.S). Kraken is registered under FinCEN in the United States. Besides buying and selling crypto, this exchange also supports margin trading, OTC trading, market, and stop-loss limit order, staking, limit, futures, take profit market order, and more. It is an easy-to-use exchange and an ideal platform for secure, safe, and fast transactions.
⚡️ Deposit fees: EUR SEPA Deposit (Free) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($5 USD) – US onlyEUR Bank Wire Deposit (€10) – outside the US only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($10 USD) – outside US onlyJPY Bank deposit (Free, ¥5,000 deposit minimum) – Japan-only USD, Wire Deposit (Free) ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Cryptocurrency: Fees vary, SEPA Withdrawal (€0.09) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($5 USD) – US only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($60 USD) – outside US onlyEUR Bank Wire Withdrawal (€60) – outside US onlyJPY Bank withdrawal (¥20) – Japan onlyCAD EFT Withdrawal ($10 CAD) ⚡️ Trading fees: Maker: 0.16%Taker: 0.28% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Fedwire, Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Wire Transfer, Etana Custody, Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN), FPS, CHAPS, and BACS, PayID, Osko ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Available almost worldwide High security Over 90 cryptocurrencies Various payment methods
Fees slightly above the industry average No tax support
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
Coinmama is one of the oldest centralized cryptocurrency exchanges on the market. It was founded in Israel in 2013. Today, Coinmama’s head office is in Dublin, Ireland. Using this crypto exchange, you can easily and quickly buy and sell 10 different cryptocurrencies.
Coinmama is a cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy and sell a small selection of digital assets using various payment methods, including credit cards, bank account transfers, and payment apps. It is known for its easy-to-use platform and fast verification process, but it has high fees and a limited selection of cryptocurrencies. It also does not offer a wallet service and has mediocre educational content. Coinmama may be a good fit for those who want to make occasional small crypto purchases, but it may not be suitable for long-term use due to its high fees and limited features.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 5 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: None ⚡️ Trading fees: 2.9 – 3.9 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Fedwire, Bank cards, Open Banking, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Skrill ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
150+ countries supported Mobile App (iOS and Android) Various payment methods Quick verification process
Fees above the industry average Only 10 cryptocurrencies No wallet or trading options, just purchases or sells
Gemini of today is one of the powerhouses of crypto trading. The exchange is well-reputed and one of the leaders in mainstream penetration thanks to their aggressive ad campaigns on buses, billboards, and mainstream media.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 0.001 BTC ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.10% – 0.35% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Credit/debit cards, Local bank transfer ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD
Ability to set real-time market limit orders Low fees Clean user interface Strong reputation
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – CAD
CoinSmart is a crypto exchange that was launched back in 2018 by Justin Hartzman and Jeremy Koven. The main purpose of launching the exchange was to make crypto more accessible to the common person in all parts of the world.
CoinSmart is based in Toronto, Canada. CoinSmart offers two types of trades to its users – single trade and double trade. Single trade is a trade with any crypto against fiat currency or BTC. The fee for a single trade is 0.2%. Double trade is a trade of two cryptos (other than BTC). CoinSmart does not support advanced crypto features such as staking, lending, borrowing, or margin trading.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 6 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 1% ($15 Minimum) ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.20% for a single trade and 0.40% for double trade ⚡️ Payment Methods: Interac E-transfer, Bank draft, SEPA, Wire transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Simplex, and Crypto assets ⚡️ Supported fiat: CAD
It is regulated The user-friendly, simple-to-use interface Easy and fast deposit and withdrawal process Customer support is on a decent level
A low number of supported cryptocurrencies No advanced features such as staking, lending, borrowing, or margin trading Not available in the US
Frequently asked questions about buying Bitcoin in California
What is the best way to buy Bitcoin in the USA❓
The best way to buy cryptocurrency in the USA is through an exchange such as Coinbase (42 states excluding California), Kraken, Gemini, Coinmama, or Changelly.
Is it legal to buy Bitcoin in the USA❓
Purchase and exchange of cryptocurrencies are totally legal across the country. While there is no federal legislation for crypto assets in the US, the bodies at the federal level have offered guidance to states.
Is Bitcoin Safe and legal❓
As of June 2021, bitcoin was legal in the U.S., Japan, the U.K., and most other developed countries. In general, it is necessary to look at bitcoin laws in specific countries. In the U.S., the IRS has taken an increasing interest in bitcoin and has issued guidelines for taxpayers.
Is Bitcoin a good investment❓
Cryptocurrency may be a good investment if you are willing to accept it is a high risk gamble which could pay off – but also that there is a strong chance you could lose all of your money. It is important before investing in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies that you go in with your eyes open.
Can you buy Bitcoin in California❓
Coinbase is the largest Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency broker in California. They represent an easy and fast way for new users to purchase crypto. Coinbase charges 3.99% fees for debit card purchases but you can get your coins instantly. Another payment option for US customers is using a connected bank account.
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CaptainAltcoin's writers and guest post authors may or may not have a vested interest in any of the mentioned projects and businesses. None of the content on CaptainAltcoin is investment advice nor is it a replacement for advice from a certified financial planner. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CaptainAltcoin.com
I am Petar and I come from a small country in South-Eastern Europe called Serbia. I am a big-time crypto enthusiast and I am proud to be a part of the project. My job with Captainaltcoin is the content editor and content writer position.
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